THE OREGON NATURALIST. 
that it may thereby become more pliable ) one 
third longer than the bird to be mounted, file 
one end toa sharp point, make a loop in the 
other end, as figured in cut. 
As he 
fill loop with tow excelsior, winding 
thread tightly around it. Wind tow overall in- 
or 
cluding neck wire, making this artificial body 
as near like the natural one as it is possible for 
you to do, for in this lies one the secrets of 
neck any 
taxidermy. Be careful not to wind 
longer than natural neck. Any sunken places 
can be made by sewing through and through the 
body, and drawing the thread tight, any place 
not plump enough can be built up with tow 
and sewed to the body. Make body and neck 
firm by winding with thread. ‘Take two pieces 
of wire three times as Jong as the leg, sharpen 
one end of each and insert one in each leg, 
pushing sharpened end up through sole of foot 
observing that it runs on the inside of the leg 
and between tow winding and the bone until 
it projects at the end. Confine tow and wire 
to leg bone by winding thread around all, al- 
lowing wire to slip back and forth with out dis- 
of leg. 
wing bones together, the natural distance apart 
arranging the shape the 
and place body in skin, forcing neck wire 
through the skull, Then push leg wire through 
the body near the centre, that the bird may be 
properly balanced. 
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Showing position of wires in body, 
Avoid the two common fault of attaching iegs 
too far behind. When leg wires have been 
pushed through body sufficiently, bend the end 
in hook shape, making the end bent a little 
longer than the thickness of the body. Pull the 
wire back through the body until the bent end 
Turn this 
and the wire is firmly 
protrudes and will go no farther, 
end up into the body, 
fastened. Push a wire, shaped as in cut, 
throug tail and forcea sutiable distance into the 
body. Now place the bird upon a temporary 
stand, and give it a position. Take time to 
view your bird from various positions, and if 
satisfied with your work, remove from stand, 
